Regional

300 snap up five-minute outer space ride

BEIJING: More than 300 Chinese space enthusiasts have booked tickets costing nearly US$100,000 (RM322,000) for a five minute trip to outer space, official media reported.

The 305 buyers snapped up tickets for a trip with Dutch firm Space Expedition Corp (SXC) when they went on sale on Taobao, an online retail website, the state-run China Daily reported.

The trips will take place in a two-man craft that remains in space for five to six minutes, giving the tourist a rarely seen view and the experience of weightlessness, the report said.

The tickets were sold for 599,999 yuan (RM311,000) it said.

No date for the trip was given. Despite a flurry of interest in space tourism in recent years, no private firms have yet been able to launch regular trips.

Participants – who must weigh no more than 125kg – are required to receive flight simulation and weightlessness training before their trip.

Ticket broker Zhang Yong told the China Daily: “It is exciting that Chinese can enjoy space travel with a click of a mouse. Hopefully it will usher in a new chapter for Chinese to explore outer space.” — AFP